Reportage on Mahama boycott overhyped - Jon Benjamin

- The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Jon Benjamin, has described the media reportage on the stage boycott by Scotttish MPs as over exaggerated.

- Jon Benjamin noted that not all the MPs boycotted the speech by the Ghanaian president.

- Some individuals and rganizations have condemned the act, describing it as cheap and low.

Jon Benjamin and President Mahama/file photo

The British High Commissioner to Ghana, Jon Benjamin, has said that the media has overhyped the staged boycott against President John Mahama in the Scottish Parliament.

He noted that the media reportage on the boycott is exaggerated and overstated. This is because; according to him, majority of the Scottish MPs sat through the address which was delivered by president Mahama, though he admits some did boycott the president’s address.

Speaking on Morning Starr on Friday, the High commissioner said the gay issue was one of the many issues that came up for discussion during the president’s speech, but he cannot give the details of the issue. He noted that he is of the view that the Ghanaian media is spending much time reporting on the boycott, which according to him is not an issue at all. He however said the media reportage of the incident is “a bit exaggerated and overstated”.

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Readers are reminded that Minority MPs in the British colony stormed out of their parliament upon arrival of the Ghanaian leader over claims that Ghana tolerates abuses on homosexuals. They argued the presence of Mr. Mahama was an affront to the gay community in their country since they respect and recognize their rights.

The action by the MPs has been heavily criticized by many Ghanaians and some heads of organizations in the country. Ghanaian lawyer Ace Ankomah, is one of such who has criticized the action by the MPs. He describes the action by the MPs as cheap, crass and low.

He noted that he is offended by the actions of the Scottish MPs and added that the President, John Dramani Mahama has no power to pass any law on homosexuality, neither does he have the power to repeal them but that power belongs to the Ghanaian parliament, hence the MPs have no reason to treat the president in such manner.

Mr. Ace-Ankomah reminded the Scottish MPs that the laws in Ghana were first written in official statues here by the UK, the country to which they, the Scots, technically and happily remain a colony. He also questioned who in government arranged the president’s trip to Scotland and if that person still has a job after the humiliation caused to the president.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Ghana Institute of Democratic Governance Dr. Emmanuel Akwetey who also spoke on the issue has called on the foreign affairs ministry to explain the circumstances surrounding the boycott to Ghanaians.